Food contains the nutrients that allow us to grow in childhood, and maintain and repair our bodies throughout our lives.
It also provides the energy that we need on a daily basis.
Food provides the fats , proteins and carbohydrates – the macronutrients that we see as food – and the vitamins and minerals – the micronutrients that we may not even think about when eating – that are critical to health and wellbeing.
At times we may consume food products between meals, such as bars of chocolate or cans of fizzy drink, but on the whole, food tends to be consumed as part of a meal. Meals should be balanced and contain a variety of ingredients and nutrients.